Science News – Newsletter for November 20, 2010

Himachal hills freeze after snowfall

SHIMLA – Widespread rain and snowfall in Himachal Pradesh in the past two days brought down the mercury Saturday with Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti district recording below freezing point night temperature, a Met official said.

Keylong recorded a low of minus 1.9 degrees Celsius, while the maximum was 7.8 degrees Celsius (Friday), Manmohan Singh, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Ryan Reynolds, Scarlett Johansson’s marriage on the rocks?

NEW YORK – It looks like all is not well between Hollywood couple Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson.

A source close to the couple says they are working through relationship ‘troubles’ caused primarily by work schedules that keep them apart, reports the New York Daily News.

The couple’s tribulations may be the reason Reynolds did not make … Original source on Gaea Times at : Ryan Reynolds, Scarlett Johansson’s marriage on the rocks?.

Largest genetic study of anorexia nervosa detects common, rare variants

WASHINGTON – Scientists have identified both common and rare gene variants associated with the eating disorder anorexia nervosa.

In the largest genetic study of this psychiatric disorder, researchers at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia found intriguing clues to genes they are subjecting to further investigation, including genes active in neuronal signaling and in shaping interconnections … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Largest genetic study of anorexia nervosa detects common, rare variants.

Is nanosilver in consumer products threatening human life?

MELBOURNE – Beware! Scientists have warned that unusually large amounts of nanosilver used in consumer products could be toxic for humans.

Silver is regarded as harmless to humans unless it is present in high concentrations, but it is toxic to microorganisms like bacteria and viruses.

“Nanosilver is the nanotech substance most widely spread in consumer products. There’s … Read : Is nanosilver in consumer products threatening human life?.

You can’t resist adultery by deleting Facebook accounts, says Minister

WASHINGTON – Pastor Cedric Miller had recently advised that some people should stay away from Facebook because the social media site leads Christians into the ‘temptation’ to commit adultery.

However, Mark Driscoll, a Seattle-based minister believes otherwise, reports the Washington Post.

According to him, when the Bible speaks of the center of our person-where our motives, …. Original source  : You can’t resist adultery by deleting Facebook accounts, says Minister.

COPD could be an auto-immunity problem

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) could be an auto-immunity problem.

The researchers from Spain studied the presence of auto-antibodies in patients with COPD and compared them to levels of control subjects.

Their findings suggested that a significant number of patients with COPD had significant levels of …. Source article  : COPD could be an auto-immunity problem.

Study that ‘unlocked’ genetics of a long life under scanner

LONDON – A previously published study into the genetics of ageing has come under scanner after it claimed that it may soon be possible to test people to see whether they are likely to live to 100.

Other scientists have voiced technical doubts about the way the researchers came to their main conclusion that they could … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Study that ‘unlocked’ genetics of a long life under scanner.

‘Trained’ bacteria that turn veggies, fruits into bioplastics!

WASHINGTON – Researchers have been able to ‘train’ bacteria to convert all the main sugars in vegetable, fruit and garden waste efficiently into ‘green’ products like bioplastics.

By adapting the eating pattern of bacteria and subsequently training them, NWO and TU Delft Researcher Jean-Paul Meijnen succeeded in converting sugars in processable materials, so that no bio-waste …. Source  : ‘Trained’ bacteria that turn veggies, fruits into bioplastics!.

Coral bleaching will go from bad to worse in 2010: Study

LONDON – One of the worst bleaching events on record occurred in 2005, thanks to the unusually warm waters in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, but a new study has revealed that 2010 is shaping up to be even worse.

Mark Eakin and his colleagues at US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Coral …. Original article  : Coral bleaching will go from bad to worse in 2010: Study.

Months of geologic unrest preceded Eyjafjallajokull eruption: Study

LONDON – A new study has shown that the eruption of Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull was preceded by months of geological unrest.

A team of researchers that conducted the study said the find could provide insight into what roused it from its centuries of slumber.

The team analyzed geophysical changes in the long-dormant volcano leading up to its …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Months of geologic unrest preceded Eyjafjallajokull eruption: Study.

Robot that can fall in love may end woes of lonely hearts!

LONDON – Robots could one day completely replace the need to have a boyfriend or girlfriend. Well, that’s what the latest invention suggests.

A robot that can fall in love with its owner could put an end to millions of lonely hearts across the globe.

It has special sensors that react to human touch to show … Read more »»».

Avid GPS use ‘may damage your memory’

WASHINGTON – You better turn off that reassuring GPS voice, for it may be dumbing down a region of your brain, says a new study.

Veronique Bohbot and colleagues at McGill Univeristy have shown that avid GPS users have a higher risk of suffering from memory and spatial orientation problems, reports Discovery News.

The research focused on [..] Read the original article: here.

Now, zoom around in a $100K Jetsons-like jetpack of your own!

WASHINGTON – Conventional air carriers may soon become a thing of the past, for now you can buy your very own jetpack and fly it too.

The jetpack, labelled the ‘Segway of the sky’, costs 100,000 dollars and doesn’t require professional training or a pilot’s license.

“We’re trying to make the world’s easiest-to-fly aircraft. Our goal is … Read more : Now, zoom around in a $100K Jetsons-like jetpack of your own!.

World’s most expensive website ‘Sex.com’ sells for $13 million!

NEW YORK – The world’s most expensive website ‘Sex.com’ has been sold for a whopping 13 million dollars – that’s how much Clover Holdings LTD paid for the rights.

Previous owner Escom LLC was forced to sell after mounting debts put the company in the red.

“To our knowledge, this sale represents the single largest recorded price … Original source on Gaea Times at : World’s most expensive website ‘Sex.com’ sells for $13 million!.

We only unwind from work stresses of week after 12.38pm on Saturday!

LONDON – Ever felt like even a weekend off doesn’t refresh you for work on Mondays?

Researchers have found the average adult doesn’t fully unwind from the stresses of the week until 12.38pm on Saturday afternoon. And even as they begin to enjoy the weekend, the Sunday blues – when the mind turns to work again … Read : We only unwind from work stresses of week after 12.38pm on Saturday!.

Michelangelo’s David ‘held secret weapon in right hand’

WASHINGTON – New research has kicked up a controversy, suggesting that Michelangelo’s David might have held a secret weapon in his overly large right hand.

“Bulging with veins, the right hand is holding what remains of a terrible weapon used in antiquity until the 17th century,” Discovery News quoted art historians Sergio Risaliti and Francesco Vossilla …. Source  : Michelangelo’s David ‘held secret weapon in right hand’.

Bladder regeneration using stem cells heralds organ replacement therapies

WASHINGTON – US researchers have created a model for bladder regeneration using stem cells – a study that could lead scientists towards new organ replacement therapies.

“Advances in the use of bone marrow stem cells taken from the patient opens up new opportunities for exploring organ replacement therapies, especially for bladder regeneration”, said Dr Arun … Read more >>>.

Cough syrup may help predict breast cancer drug’s effectiveness

LONDON – Researchers have found that giving cough syrup to breast cancer patients might reveal on how well they will respond to a vital drug.

Women often respond differently to Tamoxifen, which can mean they need a higher dose to get the same effect, reports the BBC.

Researchers from the Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam have found …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Cough syrup may help predict breast cancer drug’s effectiveness.

Could red wine treat diabetes?

LONDON – A new study has revealed that red wine is packed with anti-diabetic compounds – so does that mean it could be a potential source of treatment?

Alois Jungbauer and colleagues at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna, Austria, tested 10 reds and two whites to find out how strongly the … Read more : Could red wine treat diabetes?.

Misty, nippy morning in Delhi

NEW DELHI – Delhiites were greeted by a light mist and a nip in the air Saturday morning. The weatherman predicted a partly cloudy sky and a warm afternoon.

The maximum temperature will hover around 25 degrees Celsius, said an official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The minimum temperature settled at 13.2 degrees, two … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Misty, nippy morning in Delhi.